| CD REVIEW Fights And Fires |
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Band: Fights And Fires The oddities of life, or…how one thing leads to another! Remember Backwash from the UK Midlands? They were doin’ so great, had just released their full-length album Circus Circus through Lockjaw in July 2007 (review by yours truly posted 03/08 of same year), and done some extensive touring for it...in late August they cannot be found on any calendars anymore! The original plan was to recharge their batteries (after 5 years of constant touring), earn some money, spend time with the families…and then go at it again with fresh minds! Turns out the minds of singer Ian and drummer Jack were rather set on starting up a University education, so oops goes the whole Backwash project on the slow burner! Guitarist Ryan Price and bassist Philip Cox didn’t quite feel like stopping their musical career yet though, so after a little search they found a new drummer (Lee Jackson) and lead singer (one John) and simply continued what they were doin’ before (playing a slightly progressive hybrid of Post-Emo Punk and Post-Hardcore with a Pop sensibility, influenced by the likes of Cursive, Jimmy eat World, Hundred Reasons, and others) under the monicker of Fights And Fires. Soon after, the guys record their first 3-track EP Wolf Boy and start bringing their material in venues in the neighborhood...and beyond! But Fate would decide for more weird happenstances to befall the Worchester based band! During a meeting in early May 2008 to talk about the future of the band, it’s found out that singer John doesn’t have the same musical ambitions as the other three, couldn’t commit himself in the same degree…so an amical divorce enforces itself on the quartet, John playing his last show with F&F on May 28! A line-up change is now in order…but in stead of seaking a new singer, the band decides to let Cox have a go at the position, and search for a new bassist. However, Cox’ vocal style is somewhat rougher than the singers the guys have been working with in the past 6 years, so the boys also decide to adapt their style to that of the new singer’s voice, goin’ for a sound that is to be a mix of The Bronx, Alexisonfire, and Hot Water Music! So, in early November 2008 the boys were at Worcester’s Waiting Room Studio with Jim Turner (worked with the likes of Tribute To Nothing, Klay, Second Monday, Resonate)to record the 6 tracks for their official debut mini-album! The connection with Lockjaw was already there, of course, and after a lot of chatting over several cups of English tea, and agreement is attained later that month, early December. Working towards the release, the guys have already been on a couple of mini-tours (with The Separation from Feb. 9 to 14, with Above Them from March 5 to 9), and they have upcoming tours already planned (Scotland in April from the 7th to 11th, for instance – check out the band’s MySpace for further details). The chaotic but at once coherent melodic Hardcore the quartet plays has already had several descriptions. You’ve already heard the one from the band, the label adds to that influences from At The Drive-In, Rites Of Spring, Husker Dü, Planes Mistaken For Stars, and others. Early reviews use a combination of the mentioned bands, dieshellsuit.co.uk also mentioning Uk contemporaries Above Them. Perhaps it’s best to make up your own minds, what’s certain is that the songs all have catchy hooks and turns, and that I personally have found yet another album to add to my year-lists! Can’t wait to hear what these will guys make of a proper full-length! 98/100 Tony. |